Dispenser with rupturing means

ABSTRACT

A dispenser for a fluid or fluidlike material, such as medicaments. A support member includes a conduit and an outlet on the conduit. The support member receives a puncturable, flexible capsule which contains a fluid substance. A puncturing member is operatively received by the support member and punctures a portion of the capsule so as to release fluid from the capsule. Pressure applied to the flexible capsule forces the fluid substance from the punctured capsule, into the conduit, and through the outlet to the place of application.

United States Patent 222/8l X 222/81 X 222/80X Sept. 22, 1969,

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[22] Filed ABSTRACT: A dispenser for a fluid or fluidlike material, such as medi outle [54] DISPENSER WITH RUPTURING MEANS 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

UNITED STATES PATENTS l,|20,l70 l2/l9l4 Tompkins.....................

DISPENSER WITII RUPTURING MEANS FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART This invention relates to a device for dispensing fluid and fluid like substances, particularly for dispensing medicaments, into body cavities, such as the ear or nose.

There are many creams, fluids, and fluid like substances which are dispensed in controlled quantities to a place of use. For example, medicaments in fluid or cream form must be applied to internaltissue in bodily cavities, such as the ear, nose, mouth, and rectum. Oftentimes the dispensing devices used for dispensing such medicaments are inconvenient to use, are not readily adaptable to dispensing controlled quantities, and become messy after use. For-example, such medicaments are often contained in soft, flexible metal tubes wherein manual pressure forces the medicament from the outlet portion of the tube. Although such containers are in wide use, difficulties encountered in using and storage of such containers after use are well known.

Such dispensing devices have a wide range of use, including the application of medicines to animals, such as dogs and cats. Administration of medicines orally in capsule form toanimals is difficult. Advantageously, administration of medicine to animals may be accomplished by forcing the medicament, in controlled quantities, directly into the mouth of the animal.

Dispensing devices of the above type, although finding most significant use in dispensing medicines, may also be used for dispensing fluid substances for various industrial applications. For example, fluids or fluidlike materials such as oil, greases, sealing compounds, paints, and the like, may be conveniently dispensed by a device which causes controlled quantities of the material to be uniformly dispensed in a convenient manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide a device for conveniently and simply dispensing fluids or fluidlike materials, such as fluid or creamlike medicines.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a dispensing device for fluidlike materials wherein the device includes a portion for receiving a puncturable, flexible capsule containing a predetermined quantity of a fluidlike material and a por tion for piercing the capsule so as to dispense the material by manually forcing the fluid from the flexible capsule.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved dispensing device for fluidlike or fluid materials wherein the device is particularly characterized by its simplicity and economy of construction, manufacture and use.

Further purposes and objects of this invention will appear as the specification proceeds.

The foregoing objects are accomplished by providing a dispenser for fluid or fluidlike substances wherein the dispenser includes a support having a conduit, an outlet for said conduit, a puncturable, flexible capsule containing the fluid substance, a portion on the support member for receiving a portion of the capsule, and a member on the support intermediate the outlet and the receiving means for puncturing the portion of the capsule received by the support so as to release the fluid substance from the capsule, whereby pressure applied to the flexible capsule forces the substance from the punctured capsule, into the conduit, and through the outlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A particular embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view through my improved dispensing device, wherein the capsule containing the fluidlike material is shown interconnected to the support member of the device, prior to puncturing or piercing of the capsule;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, except the dispensing device is shown after the capsule has been pierced or punctured to release the fluid therefrom;

FIG. 3 is a detailed longitudinal sectional view through the puncturing element of the device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view through an alternate form of the portion of the device receiving the puncturing member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, my improved dispensing device, generally I0, includes an elongated support member 12 having a rear operating portion 14, which advantageously includes longitudinal flutes for gripping purposes, and a forward conduit portion 16. The support member 12 is preferably unitarily formed of a molded plastic material, such as polyethylene. The support member 12 has a central aperture 18 which includes an elongated central conduit 20, coextensive with the conduit portion 16, and a socket portion 22, coextensive with the operating portion 14.

The operating portion 14 of the support member 12 is advantageously enlarged where it receives the puncturing member, generally 24, and the flexible capsule, generally 26. The conduit portion I6 of the support member 12 is desirably reduced in diameter so that it may readily project into a cavity, such as a nasal cavity, for application of the fluid to be dispensed. An axial outlet 28, is provided at the outer end of the conduit 20 and, desirably, intermediate outlet apertures 30 are defined in the wall 32 surrounding the conduit 20.

The capsule 26 is preferably a flexible, enclosed capsule 26 having a reduced portion 34 thereon. Advantageously, the capsule 26 is made of a relatively sturdy, yet puncturable material, such as gelatin. The reduced capsule portion 34 is received within the socket portion 22 defined in the operating portion 14 of the support member 12. As shown in the drawings, an inwardly projecting ridge 36 is provided at the outer end of the socket 22 and is constructed to sealably receive the reduced portion 34 of the capsule 26. After the capsule 26 is punctured or pierced, the ridge 36 coacts with the outer surface of the capsule to avoid the passage of fluid material outwardly between the capsule 26 and the socket portion 22 so that substantially all the fluid in the capsule is directed into the conduit 20 and through the outlets 28 and 30, upon application of manual pressure to the major portion of the flexible capsule.

The puncturing member 24, preferably a molded plastic,

such as nylon, includes a threaded member 38 having a knurled outer knob portion 40 for enabling manual rotation of the threaded member 38. An inner, cutting cup portion 42 is unitarily joined to the threaded portion of the threaded member 38 by a shaft 44 having a reduced diameter relative to the cutting cup 42. The puncturing member 24 is threadably received by the support member 12 in the operating portion 14. A threaded aperture 46 is provided transverse to and intersects the socket portion 22 in the operating portion 14.

The reduced portion 34 of the capsule 26 extends into the socket 22 beyond the point of intersection between the socket 22 and the threaded aperture 46 so that the cutting cup 42 engages and cuts an aperture in the reduced portion 34 of the capsule 26.

The cutting cup 42 is concave and defines a knifelike outer circular edge. As shown in FIG. 2, the threaded member 38 is manually rotated inwardly to drive the cutting cup 42 with rotative cutting force against the reduced portion 34 of the capsule 26. The cup cuts an aperture in the reduced portion 34 to provide an outlet between the wall surrounding the aperture and the shaft 44 connected to the cutting cup 42. The threaded member 38 is rotated inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 2, where the severed capsule portion bears against the inner wall on the opposite side of the reduced portion 34. This distorts the wall portion inwardly into the aperture 48, opposite the cup 42, to thereby lock the capsule 26 in place on the support member 12. Manual pressure is then applied to the main body of the flexible capsule 26 so that the fluid material is forced outwardly through the cut aperture in the capsule, into the conduit 20, and finally through the outlets 28 or 30 to the place of application.

FIG. 4 shows a preferred form for the thread receiving the threaded portion of the cutting or puncturing member. The internal threads are rounded so as to provide for greater economy in manufacture without sacrificing operativeness of the device.

From the foregoing, it is seen that a very simple and highly effective device is provided for dispensing controlled quantities of a fluid or fluidlike material. The conduit portion of the support member may have various forms and a various number of outlets depending on the particular application, whether for application to the ears, nose, mouth, orally or rectally. The length may vary widely as may the diameter. Since all parts of the dispenser are of molded plastic material, the device is particularly economical to manufacture. The device, including the capsule may be packaged aseptically, and then after dispensing, the device may be discarded. Alternatively, where aseptic conditions are not necessary, such as for the dispensing of oils or lubricants, the used capsule may be removed and another capsule containing the desired material may be placed onto the device and later used.

While in the foregoing, there has been provided a detailed description of particular embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that all equivalents obvious to those having skill in the art are to be included within the scope of the invention, as claimed.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A dispenser for a fluid substance such as medicaments, said dispenser comprising, in combination, a support member having a conduit for passage of said fluid substance therethrough, an outlet for said fluid substance intercepting said conduit, a puncturable, flexible, enclosed capsule containing said fluid substance and having a reduced portion, means on said support member for sealably receiving said reduced portion of said capsule in an aligned position with said conduit, said receiving means being in communication with said conduit, and means projecting laterally of and operatively received by said support member for puncturing said reduced portion of said capsule from a lateral direction for releasing said fluid substance from said capsule whereby pressure applied to said flexible capsule forces said substance from said punctured capsule into said conduit and through said outlet.

2. The device of claim I wherein said puncturing means in cludes an enlarged cutting portion for puncturing said capsule portion, a reduced shaft portion connected to said puncturing portion whereby said fluid passes between the capsule portion surrounding the aperture punctured by the said puncturing portion and said reduced shaft portion.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member includes a first portion and a second portion, said second portion defining said conduit, and said first portion including said capsule receiving means, and said puncturing means.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said puncturing means includes a threaded portion received by said support member. a puncturing portion connected to said threaded portion, and means for rotating said threaded portion for driving said puncturing portion into said capsule portion for severing a portion thereof.

5. The device of claim I wherein said support member includes an elongated portion having a reduced diameter in which said conduit is defined, said elongated reduced portion being particularly adapted for insertion into a body cavity.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein multiple outlets are provided on said elongated portion, all of said outlets intercepting said conduit.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said capsule is a flexible gelatin capsule.

8. A dispenser for a fluid substance, said dispenser compris ing, in combination, a support member having a conduit for said fluid substance, an outlet for said fluid substance intercepting said conduit, a puncturable flexible capsule containing said fluid substance, means on said support member for sealably receiving at least aJJortion of said capsule and being in communication with sal conduit and means operatively received by said support member for puncturing said portion ofsaid capsule for releasing said fluid substance from said capsule, said puncturing means including an enlarged cutting portion for puncturing said capsule portion, and a reduced shaft portion connected to said puncturing portion whereby pressure applied to said flexible capsule forces said substance from said punctured capsule, said fluid passing between the capsule portion surrounding the aperture punctured by the said puncturing portion and said reduced shaft portion, said fluid substance thereafter passing through said conduit and through said outlet.

# l 1! t i 

1. A dispenser for a fluid substance such as medicaments, said dispenser comprising, in combination, a support member having a conduit for passage of said fluid substance therethrough, an outlet for said fluid substance intercepting said conduit, a puncturable, flexible, enclosed capsule containing said fluid substance and having a reduced portion, means on said support member for sealably receiving said reduced portion of said capsule in an aligned position with said conduit, said receiving means being in communication with said conduit, and means projecting laterally of and operatively received by said support member for puncturing said reduced portion of said capsule from a lateral direction for releasing said fluid substance from said capsule whereby pressure applied to said flexible capsule forces said substance from said punctured capsule into said conduit and through said outlet.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said puncturing means includes an enlarged cutting portion for puncturing said capsule portion, a reduced shaft portion connected to said puncturing portion whereby said fluid passes between the capsule portion surrounding the aperture punctured by the said puncturing portion and said reduced shaft portion.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member includEs a first portion and a second portion, said second portion defining said conduit, and said first portion including said capsule receiving means, and said puncturing means.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said puncturing means includes a threaded portion received by said support member, a puncturing portion connected to said threaded portion, and means for rotating said threaded portion for driving said puncturing portion into said capsule portion for severing a portion thereof.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member includes an elongated portion having a reduced diameter in which said conduit is defined, said elongated reduced portion being particularly adapted for insertion into a body cavity.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein multiple outlets are provided on said elongated portion, all of said outlets intercepting said conduit.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein said capsule is a flexible gelatin capsule.
 8. A dispenser for a fluid substance, said dispenser comprising, in combination, a support member having a conduit for said fluid substance, an outlet for said fluid substance intercepting said conduit, a puncturable flexible capsule containing said fluid substance, means on said support member for sealably receiving at least a portion of said capsule and being in communication with said conduit and means operatively received by said support member for puncturing said portion of said capsule for releasing said fluid substance from said capsule, said puncturing means including an enlarged cutting portion for puncturing said capsule portion, and a reduced shaft portion connected to said puncturing portion whereby pressure applied to said flexible capsule forces said substance from said punctured capsule, said fluid passing between the capsule portion surrounding the aperture punctured by the said puncturing portion and said reduced shaft portion, said fluid substance thereafter passing through said conduit and through said outlet. 